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"]rUIIPORT ORCHABO & VINRARO COMPAUr 



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Secured aliont Eiiliteeii Spare Miles of tlie Clioicest 

IN THE CELEBRATED 

"MICHIGAN PEACH BELT." 

NEAU THE TOWN OF 

FRUITPORT. 



Splendid Harbor, Railroads. Charming Climate, Beautiful 

Scenery, Pure Water, G-ood Society, in one of the 

Finest Peach Growing Regions of any Country, 




Address;, £. L.. CRAIAT^ 

FRUITPORT, 

J Tia Spring Ulj^, MICHIGAN. 

CHIOAG-O : 

Mathews & Co.. Printers, 140 South Water Street. 

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INTRODUCTION. 



To the men of character, enterprise and intelligence, who are 
seeking new homes, new fields for business activity, a salubrious 
climate, beautiful scenery, great natural advantages, and a pros- 
perous society infused with New England principles, and also 
with the genuine spirit of indomitable enei*gy and advancement, 
to them the following pages are offered for their most careful and 
serious consideration. 

FRUIT GROWING. 

There are few fields of labor which offer so promising a pros- 
pect to honest industry and moderate capital, especially in those 
sections where the soil and climate are exactly adapted to it, and 
where marketing facilities are cheap and accessible. Tens of 
thousands of instances might be shown in which men have en- 
gaged with small means and little experience in the growth of 
peaches, grapes and other fruits, and from several crops have 
reaped gains which have brought to them a comparative compe- 
tence. This cannot be wondered at, when the nature of the 
business is considered, and the peculiar advantages attending it. 

First :— It is almost absolutely without any risk or great anx- 
iety. Only a small tract of land is required, so that a small 
part of a person's capital need to be invested in land — the bal- 
ance can be judiciously expended for improvements, and the com- 
forts and conveniences of life. The profits of a few acres of 
fruit will exceed those of one or two hundred acres in a farm. 
The land is always a safe investment, and its cultivation always 
profitable. There is no property so secure as the ownership of 
the soil. It defies fire, floods and thieves. The fluctuations of 
markets, the rise and fall of goods, and the condition of the stock 
and money markets, need not cause the fruit grower sleepless 
nights and terrible presentiments of failure and bankruptcy 



Second : — Another important advantage Is the natural advance 
of property in value, as improvements are made and population 
increases. Hundreds of instances might be pointed out, where 
orchard lands were bought in a wild state for a few dollars an 
acre, and improvements were made, and in a few years every 
acre would sell for as many hundreds of dollars as it cost dollars, 
meanwhile making the owner wealthy by the proceeds of his 
fruit. 

Third : — The healthfulness of the occupation. It needs no 
demonstration to prove that vigorous health is one of the most 
precious forms of wealth, and greatest sources of enjoyment. 
Light and cheerful exercise in the pure open air, constantly aided by 
the most pleasing influences and impressions, almost insure the 
continual health of body and mind. And this is not confined to 
the husband ; the wife and children need not be urged to enjoy 
the fresh air, and partake of healthful exercise ; their very sur- 
roundings make it almost an impossibility to do otherwise, and 
as the laws of health are absolute, health and buoyancy of spirit 
invariably follow. The advantage of a hearty, vigorous family 
over an invalid, nervous wife and weak, sickly children, no one 
will dare to estimate by dollars and cents. In the one case life 
'.is a bui'den and disaj^pointment, in the other it is filled with 
pleasure and satisfaction. 

Fourth: — 'Another advantage is the availability of all kinds 
of labor. Thousands of families are solely dependent on the la- 
bor of the father, and, if deprived of that by sickness or accident, 
destruction and suffering ensue. There may be several strong, 
healthy children, but their labor will bring scarcely any compen- 
sation, and they are a burden instead of an assistance. But in 
fruit-growing, if necessity requires, the aid of the mother and chil- 
dren may be invaluable, and every boy may become a source of 
strength and profit to the family. The Value of industrious and 
business habits thus acquired, is more than vast inheritances. 

Fifth ; — The leisure which is afforded for self improvement,. 
Those who work for others ten or twelve hours a day, year after 
year, have but little time or disposition for study and reflection,, 
In fruit-growing, much time may be devoted to intellectual pur- 
suits at certain seasons. 

When the small capital required, and the safety and healthfulness 
of this pursuit considered, no business can be found to offer 
greater attractions. Several hundred dollars profit per acre 
yearly for well cultivated orchards, vineyards and gardens, is 
only a usual return. Besides it affords an independent life, which 
should be prized "above rubies." The following on this subject 
is taken from an article in the N". Y. Independent of Jan. 21st, 
1869, entitled " What shall we do?" 

There are thousands of men in the land to whom the above question Is one 
of the most momentous importance. Thousands of young men just ready to 



leave the parental roof, and commence the battle of life for themselves, look 
out in the busy world around them to see what business they can engage in 
that will afford a certain and liberal pecuniary return, a residence in an intelli- 
gent and refined community, which confers all the blessings of social, moral, 
intellectual and religious advancement, and which will yet allow them ample 
leisure for the improvement of the mind, and the cultivation of those tastes and 
refinements, which are the glory of a truly civilized people. Thousands of 
men who have given up the harrassing cares and anxieties of business life, and 
have retired with a suflicient competence to insure a comfortable support in 
their declining years, yet wish to engage in something which will relieve the 
monotony and tedium of mere existence, and which will give to the mind that 
freshness and exhilaration, and to the body that exercise which are indispensa- 
ble to the fullest enjoyment of life. 

There are thousands of men who have been the sport of misfortune, who are 
broken down bankrupts and crushed to the earth by defeat and discourage- 
ment, who have not the heart or means to enter again into the fiuctuating ex- 
periences of mercantile life, yet who are compelled to do something to satisfy 
the necessities of themselves and those dependent on them. 

There are also thousands of clerks and book-keepers who have spent the 
best part of their lives in the harness of servitude; who have but a few hun- 
dred dollars to show for their years of toil ; whose pale faces, stooping forms, 
and debilitated health daily admonish them that they must change their man- 
ner of life, or Nature will visit them with a terrible retribution. At the same 
time the spirit of their manhood is longing for a life — independent, free and un- 
fettered — by which they can sit under their " own vine and fig-tree," and be 
amenable to no employer but themselves. 

There are also thousands of farmers and artizans, once sturdy and full of 
vigor and endurance, but whose rheumatic pains and over-worked, broken- 
down frames render them unfit for the exhaustive and incessant toil of the 
farm, the shop or the factory ; whose habits of industry will not tolerate their 
idleness ; but who long for some light, remunerative labor, which would re- 
cuperate their enfeebled constitutions and deal lightly with the growing infirm- 
ities of years. 

There are also tens of thousands of active, enterprising, vigorous, live men — 
with fertile brains, ready hands, native ingenuity, and indomitable energy— 
who are anxious to engage in some business which opens an illimitable field 
for all these qualifications, and with genuine pioneer spirit seek a new country 
and new associations, in which to build magnifioent fortunes and A,ise them- 
selves to positions cjf influence, dignity and trust. ^ 

To all these we offer a few suggestions, which, perhaps, may assist them 
in finding a satisfactory answer to the momentous inquiry, "What shall we do ?" 
It is needless to say that many of the avocations of life are so crowded by 
earnest competitors, that to engage in them is not only undesirable, but the 
risk of failure makes it positively dangerous to do so. The professions are 
thronged by hosts of needy aspirants, who sour their tempers and embitter 
their lives by their struggles for success, and their almost unavailing efforts to 
eke out a scanty and precarious existence by all the strategy which want and 
absolute necessity can master. 

The road to commercial success is covered with the unnumbered failures of 
the vast majority ; while only a few exceptions who survive the perilous or- 
deal, ever reach the coveted reward of a sure and permanent prosperity. In 
the staid city of Boston, statistics inform us that ninety-five out of every hun- 
dred who embark in mercantile life, foil ; and this in spite of the terrific ener- 
gy, the sharp inventive mind, the industrious and economic habits, and the gen- 
eral morality of the Down East Yankee. 

The mechanical trades offer, it is true, a respectable livelihood ; but how few, 
after laboring faithfully the best part of a life-time, have succeeded in giving 



their children a good education, and in raising themselves above the necessity 
of continual labor ! 

The farmer, independent as he is, has generally to toil early and late foi 
nearly a life-time, before he surrounds himself with the conveniences of life ; 
and he enjoys a comparative competence in his old age, if at all, at the fearful 
sacrifice of a body rendered prematurely infirm and miserable. 

There is one branch of industry against which the foregoing objections can- 
not be urged. It is comparatively undeveloped, and in certain localities the 
extent of its boundless wealth and resources are not even suspected. We refer 
to our fruit interests, and especially that of the peach. The localities for the 
successful culture of the peach are yearly becoming fewer and more contract- 
ed ; and, hence, in those favored spots which seem especially designed by Prov- 
idence for that purpose, any labor expended is sure to be repaid with a muni- 
ficent reward. The peach is one of the most delicious fruits of any clime, and 
the demand for it is absolutely imlimited. In the Western States it can only be 
grown with certaintj^ and success in the celebrated " Michigan Peach Belt" — ■ 
a strip of land perhaps fifteen miles wide, on the eastern coast of Lake Michi- 
gan, which seems by the peculiar modifications of the lake on the climate, to- 
f ether with a soil of wonderful adaptation to the culture of all fruits, to com- 
ine every requisite which the most fastidious horticulturist could suggest. 
The great Northwest, and many sections of the Middle and Eastern states, are 
mainly dependent on this tract for their supply of this luscious fruit ; and when 
we think of the miglity cities, populous towns, thrifty villages, and immense 
rural districts, filled with homes of wealth, luxury and refinement, in this the 
most wealthy and populous portion of the continent, it is utterly impossible 
for the mind to estimate or conceive the consumption of such a people and the 
demands of such a market. But nature would seem determi)ied to keep pace 
in her profuseness to man, with his wants. The extraordinary success with 
which the peach producer has been already rewarded must soon cover such 
portions of this tract as are convenient to ports and rail-roads, so as to aflford 
market facilities, with flourishing orchards, which shall supply our markets and 
tables. 

In the fruit business, much depends on the accessibility of a ready market ; 
and when this is combined with the f<iregoing advantages of climate and soil, 
that is the location to be chosen above afl others. 

The attention of the reader is now called to a portion of the 
" Michigan Peach Belt" referred to, which, it if claimed, offers 
greater inducements to settlers than any other point, and they 
are invited to a serious consideration, and thorough investiga- 
tion of the facts. The two most desirable localities for peaches 
and other fruits, are the Grand Haven and St. Joseph regions. 
The vicinity of Grand Haven is considered by far the most pre- 
ferable for the following reasons : 

1st. — The climate is better adapted to peaches, owing to the 
prevailing S.W. winds sweeping over 100 miles of open water, and 
consequently the crop is more certain. 

2nd. — Thelands are near a good harbor and rail-roads, neither 
of which St. Joseph has, thus commanding the eastern as well as 
the Chicago, Milwaukee and all the lake markets. 

3d. — Lands with treble the natural advantages, can be obtain- 
ed at one third the price. 

These facts will be noticed particnlarly hereafter. 




Grand Haven is a city of 
about 5,000 inhabitants, is one 
of the most important places, 
and has the best harbor on the 
eastern shore of Lake Michi- 
gan. It is the western ter- 
minus of the Detroit & Mil- 
waukee rail-road, which con- 
nects bere with a line of 
steamers to Milwaukee, There 
are two lines of propellers to 
Chicago, by which two boats leave for Chicago every evening 
during navigation, and arrive there next morning. There are 
also two boats daily, during navigation to Grand Rapids, run- 
ning on Grand river. Visitors will find immediately at Grand 
Haven, barren sand-banks, such as exist all along the eastern 
shore, but back two or three miles the soil becomes loamy, and 
the country beautiful. 

About a mile from Grand Haven on the North side of Grand 
s-iver, is the village of Ferrysburgh. On the opposite side of the 
river, or rather of the channel which constitutes the outlet of a 
beautiful little lake, called Spring lake, lies the village of Spring 
Lake with 1,500 inhabitants. At these villages are some of the 
largest manufacturing establishments in the country, and sur- 
rounding them are orchards and gardens of the finest description. 
Spring Lake, just alluded to, is a lovely sheet of water, stretch- 
ing inland, about five miles in length, and from one-half to ore 
mile in width. Along its banks are numerous streams of pure 
cold water. The banks rise precipitously from the water,* from 
thirty to sixty feet, and nearly anywhere a vessel can run so near 
the shore as to load up from the beach. The lake is of ample 
depth for the largest lake propellers and vessels to navigate,^ av- 
erjiging about fifty feet in depth. On its banks are extensive 
beds of pure, fine, fawn-colored clay, excellently adapted for 
bricks and pottery. There are also deposits of valuable white 
marl in the vicinity. The elevated shores are being rapidly 
covered by handsome residences and thrifty orchards, vine- 
yards and gardens. At the head of the lake, and commanding 
a magnificent view of nearly its whole length, as it stretches 
away like a thread of silver, is laid out a charming town-site 
called Fruitport, and this must soon become the centre of one of 
the most prosperous fruit-growing communities in the country. 
It is laid out with unusual liberality. The streets are of more 
than ordinary width, and ample appropriations are made for 
public-squares, school-grounds, fine public park, &c. 

An extract is here given from a private letter written by F. J. 
Hough, Esq., of Adrian — a gentleman who is thoroughly familiar 



with all Western Michigan, and one of the most influential and 
reliable business men of the State. He writes as follows : 

'• My attention was first directed to tlie advantages wliich Spring Lake had 
over otlier points on tlie lake shore, in the Spring of 1867. I had often been at 
Grand Haven and had, in view of tlie sand hills which surrounded it, formed a 
very unfavorable opinion of all of the surrounding country. I knew it had the 
best harbor on the coast, but was not aware that^here was such a magnificent 
inland lake [Spring Lake] connected with its harbor, with a fruit and fariD 
country surrounding, and in its vicinity, unequalled by any section of Michi- 
gan. A friend who had visited the head of Spring Lake, first called my atten- 
tion to its great natural advantages, and from his representations I became so 
interested as to visit it, and must acknowledge that, having traversed the lake 
shore from Michigan City to Manistee, I know of no locality that presents so 
many advantages to the fruit-grower and agriculturalist, as Spring Lake. I 
have often wondered why a point possessing so many advantages to the settler, 
should be so long overlooked. I can account for it in no other way than this — 
the attention of business men has been given only to the lumbering interests, 
while travellers like myself, passing along the line of the Detroit & Milwaukee 
rail-road, or through the swamps from Ferrysburgh to Muskegon, would judge 
of the whole country by the portion seen along those routes. The facilities for 
marketing fruit or produce at Spring Lake, are far the best of any point on the 
shore — while the certaintj^ of growing a crop is equally as good as the best, 
and much better than some of the localities lurther south. I have several times 
visited the localities of St. Joseph, South Haven, Pier Cove, Saugatuck and 
Holland, and have made inquiries as to the price of land, and this is the result 
of such inquiries : I find land at Spring Lake, with double or treble the advan- 
tages of reaching the markets of Chicago, Milwaukee and those of the East, can 
be bought from one-half to one-third less per acre. This state of things cannot 
long exist. The beautiful scenery, healthful climate, good society and fine fruit 
lands of this section are beginning to attract attention, and a tide of emigration 
is destined to set in towards this portion of our state, as will make it, as its nat- 
ural advantages entitle it to be, the richest fruit-growing section of the West." 

Su^i are the statements of a prominent business man, and he 
has no connection whatever with the "Fruitport Orchard & 
Vineyard Company." 

Several gentlemen having their attention called to the extraor- 
dinary natural advantages of this locality, and believing that by 
judicious management, and a liberal and public-spirited policy, 
a wealthy, populous and intelligent community could soon be 
founded, secured a large tract of the choicest fruit lands, and 
organized the "Fruiti)ort Orchard & Vineyard Company," for 
the purpose of uniting their interests and labor, to facilitate their 
business, and better enable them by combined and harmonious 
efforts, to develop the marvelous resources of the country by ev- 
ery available means. It is their aim and pui*pose to build up an 
intelligent and refined community of actual and permanent set- 
tlers, who will appreciate and cherish a high-toned, moral public 
sentiment, and those invaluable religious and educational inter- 
ests, which make the solid basis of a permanent prosperity. To 
such, extraordinary inducements are offered, which, it is believ- 
ed, no other locality presents. 

This Company are making preparations to build a dam at the 



mouth of Norris Creek, emptying at the head of Spring Lake, ob- 
taining about eighteen feet head of water, and preparatory to 
the erection of grist and saw mills and various manufactories. 
This they intend to prosecute with vigor, until completed. This 
will flow the water back on narrow bottom lands about three 
miles, thus forming a large artificial lake, navigable for barges, 
which will afford a ready outlet for fruit, produce, rail road ties, 
lumber, wood, &c., from the lands adjoining, to the vessels at 
the Fruitport docks. The Grand Rapids and Lake Shore rail- 
road, which is progressing with the utmost rapidity, will run di- 
rectly through Fruitport. 

It must be seen that these rail-road facilities, together with 
one of the finest harbors of any country, must make Fruitport an 
important business place. As soon as the rail-road is completed, 
boats can make connections with trains, and Fruitport can com- 
pete with Grand Haven in the freight and passenger business, 
to Chicago and other lake cities. The position of Fruitport 
speaks for itself, and needs no further comment. 

Information is now given on the leading features of the coun- 
try, and on topics of the greatest importance to those seeking a 
new home. The liberty has been taken to make extracts from a 
very able paper and report by Prof Winchell, late State Geolo- 
gist of Michigan, and now Prof, of Geology in Michigan Univer- 
sity. 

CLIMATE. 

Prof Winchell in a paper on the "Fruit Belt of Michigan," says : 
*' Lake Michigan being a body of water 350 miles long, and on an 
average, 15 miles broad, with a depth of about 900 feet, is enabled 
to preserve something of that uniformity of temperature, which 
characterizes the oc(?an, and exerts a similar influence upon the 
contigious lands. The temperature of the water never rises 
above 45 "= or 50 ® , and probably does not sink below 35 => or 
40°. The great body of the lake is never frozen over. The 
wdnds moving over its surface are consequently warmed in cold 
weather, and cooled in warm weather. As the prevailing direc- 
tion of the wind, both summer and winter, is from the westerly 
points of the compass, the influence of the lake is most extensively 
felt along the Eastern or Michigan shore. The amount of this 
influence diminishes toward the interior, but is distinctly felt in 
extreme weather, in all parts of the State. The region of country 
along the lake, however, for a distance inland which may be 
about 40 miles, enjoys a climate of a decidedly local character. 
During the prevalence of the severest cold of last winter, (1867) 
the mercury stood from 15 ® to 20 ® lower at Milwaukee than at 
Grand Haven, immediately opposite. A region defended, like 
that along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, from the extreme 
yicissitudes of our Northern winters, and preserved equally from 



the torrid heats and protracted drouths of our Southern summers, 
would seem to be favorably situated, for drawing forth the utmost 
capacities of the soil. As it is obvious that a favorable soil is an 
essential condition to the full eifect of so propitious a climate, I 
ought to add, that on the immediate shore of the lake, the soil is 
generally sandy, and covered by a forest growth, consisting of 
evergreen and deciduous trees, intermixed. From half a mile to 
three miles inland, the soil becomes more loamy." Prof. Wiachell 
says elsewhere, " Our cold winds generally proceed from the 
Southwest or West. Passing over the open water of Lake 
Michigan, sixty miles in width, the temperature of which never 
sinks below 32 ^ , it is impossible to avoid abstracting a consider- 
able amount of heat, so that when these cold westerly winds 
strike the Michigan shores of the lake, the severity of the winter 
gales is materially mitigated. The equalizing influence of the 
lake is much greater than is generally supposed, and the whole 
belt of country bordering it on the East, is alFected by its hydro- 
graphical position, much like the peninsula of Florida, Sweden 
and the British Islands." He claims. that the Northwestern shore 
of Michigan is far better protected than the St. Joseph region, for 
the very obvious reason that the Southwest winds sweep round 
tbe head of the lake, or pass over a small body of water, before 
striking the latter place, but cannot touch the Northern shore, 
without passing over the entire width of the lake, which, as before 
said, greatly mitigates their severity. He says of the Northern 
shore, that "the tubers of the dahlias remain in the earth with 
impunity, and delicate green-house roses f^tand out with 
greater security than in Alabama and Louisiana." As to its fruit- 
growing capacity, he says " I doubt whether any other portion of 
the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, will be able to 
compete with it. It has been a complete surprise to the inhabit- 
ants to learn that peaches, apples, grapes, pears, raspberries, 
strawberries and other fruits, can be cultivated with success. 
The discover}^ has given a wonderful impetus to this branch of 
enterprise; and unless my judgment greatly misleads me, we 
shall hear of this region as the fruit orchard of the country, and 
shrewd men with horticultural tastes, will thank me for directing 
attention to this open avenue to wealth." Such are the statements 
of one of the ablest scientific authorities of the United States, 
who is thoroughly familiar with the region, and surely no one is 
better qualified to give a correct and reliable opinion on this 
subject. 

FRUITS. 

At a convention of Fruit Growers held at Spring Lake, Feb. 
3, 1869, the extraordinary fact was vouched for by practical fruit 
growers, that at Spring Lake and vicinity, during the last ten 
years, there had only been one total failure of the peach crop. 



and only two partial failures, while at St. Joseph there had been 
only four full crops of peaches during the same time. The writer 
of this was shown a fine old orchard at Spring Lake, by a gentle- 
man residing near it, who said it had borne every year for the last 
eleven years, to his personal knowledge, and was an old bearing 
orchard when he first saw it, and this, too, without particular 
care. There is a peach orchard more than two miles inland east 
of Fruitport, which has yielded a full crop every year for the last 
twelve years, and others less distant are equally prolific. For the 
reasons already given, this region is better protected from winter 
winds, consequently the peach crop is far more certain. The 
profits from some orchards seem almost incredible to believe. 
Last year the profits of some orchards were about $1000 per acre. 
There were exhibited at the convention alluded to, some of the 
most superb apples ever seen, which grew in the vicinity, and all 
the facts cited on apple raising, showed that trees bear at an early 
age, and with a prolificacy that is truly astonishing. The ex- 
perience given as to the yield and profits of grapes and small 
fruits, was also remarkable. A nurseryman and fruit grower 
(Mr. Ganzhorn) of several years experience at Sprhig Lake, said 
that the strawberry, raspberry and blackberry, could be success- 
fully cultivated at a profit of from $500 to |1,500 per acre. The 
above is taken from the Report of the Convention, and also the 
foUovv^ing item : " Mr. Jno. L. Edgar's experience with strawberry 
culture had been a success. His first crop from about 75 rods of 
ground had yielded 117 bushels of berries, which he sold for 
$555. Eighty bushels, sold . in Milwaukee, brought him $9 per 
bushel. For the ' Jucunda' he received 30 cents a quart." These 
facts speak for themselves, and need no further comment. They 
show that Prof Winchell's opinion is no exaggeration when he 
" doubts whether any other poition of the United States, east of 
the Rocky Mountains, will be able to compete with this country 
as a frnit-growing region." But the best evidences are the or- 
chards, vineyards and gardens themselves, and to show the extent 
and progress of fruit-culture in the vicinity of Grand Haven, the 
following is taken from the paper of Prof Wiuchell, before referred 
to : " From the statistics of the ' Lake Shore Horticultural 
Association,' I learn that there are already under cultivation, in 
the immediate vicinity of Grand Haven, 7,603 apple trees ; 1,286 
pear trees ; 26,580 peach trees; of which 12,664 were set last 
Spring. Of plum, nectarine, apricot and quince trees, there are 
756. There are 18,693 grape vines, of which 1,700 are bearing, 
and 14,993 newly set. These trees, and many others which I have 
recently examined, are in a state of health and vigor which cannot 
be surpassed." He then says that still further North " it seems 
to be completely demonstrated that these fruits are destined to 
be as successfully cultivated as in the St. Joseph region." Since 



10 

then fruit-growing has received a wonderful impetus, and there 
are now several times that number of trees and vines under culti- 
vation. 

SOIL AND TIMBER. 

The soil at Fruitport and vicinity, is a rich, warm, sandy loam, 
exactly adapted to fruit-growing. It is far richer and heavier 
than the soil at Spring Lake and near the Lake Michigan shore. 
Prof. Winchell's statement of this fact has been cited before. 
Every acre offered for sale by the " Fruitport Orchard and Vine- 
yard Company" is dry, elevated and undulating, without hills, 
rocks, stones, or a foot of waste land. Until fruit trees and vines 
bear, immense crops of potatoes can be produced, so that the land 
pays from the very first year. Some tracts are covered by a heavy 
growth of valuable timber, principally hemlock, maple, beech, 
white ash and cherry. The timber is magnificent — many noble 
monarchs of the forest, of immense proportions, run up, like a 
mast, 50 or 60 feet, without a branch. There are single trees on 
nearly every acre, which will more than pay for the acre, at the 
prices at which these lands are now offered. The beech can be 
cut into cordwood for lil.OO per cord, and will sell for about $3.50 
per cord at the vessel. Hemlock tan bark can be cut for $1.50 
per cord, and sells from $5.00 to $8.00 per cord. The logs can 
then be sold, or sawed in lumber. The white ash and cherry can 
be sawed and shipped to Chicago, where it is worth from $25 to 
$40 per 1000. There are a great many small hemlock trees which 
run up straight, from 30 to 50 feet, and which will make from three 
to five railroad ties each. The price for cutting ties is eight cents 
each, and they sell at the creek for about 25 cents each, and at Chi- 
cago for about 40 cents. The ties alone, will pay for the land on 
many tracts. 1 hese prices will be much enhanced as shipping facili- 
ties are increased, and the rates of freight become more reason- 
able, but above all, by the fact that every year the consumption of 
all these articles increases enormously, while the supply is rapidly 
diminishing. A Chicago hardwood lumber merchant recently 
informed the writer that there was far more difficulty in obtain- 
ing hardwood lumber than in selling it. Ash, cherry and maple 
are constantly applied to new uses, and are rapidly increasing in 
value. The labor of preparing the land for cultivation is not very 
gi'eat, for there is no underbrush and no grubbing or digging up 
of saplings. The custom is, to plow with the stumps in, and to 
set out the fruit trees or vines, and plant potatoes, without at- 
tempting to take out the stumps. They are not so close together 
but that the ground can be well cultivated, and they soon decay 
so that they can be removed. The ground pays a large profit 
from the beginning, by crops of potatoes and vegetables. Peach 
trees bear to some extent the third year after planting, but there 
3s not a full crop till the fourth year. At Fruitport one of " Hales 



11 

Early" nursery trees produced ten full grown luscious peaches 
fourteen months from the setting. The timber is of great value 
to the settler, for in the winter months he can cut wood, railroad 
ties and logs, and sell them for cash, and thus make high wages, 
besides large profits. Experienced men have made estimates of 
the timber on some tracts, and consider the following figures safe, 
and underneath the actual amounts. On an acre there are : 

50 railroad ties, worth say 22 cents each $11.00 

6,000 feet hemlock lumber " $8.00 per 1000 48.00 

'750 "pine " " 10.00 " " 7.50' 

350 "ash " " 20.00 " " V.OO 

175 "cherry " " 20.00 " " 3.50 

3 cords Hemlock tan bark 5.00 " cord 15.00 

25 "ofbeech and maple wood 3.50 " " 87.50 

$179.50 

It will be seen that the above are minimum prices. When all 
this is taken off the land, it will sell for far more than it cost, 
because fruit-growing is so profitable, that cleared land cannot be 
obtained fast enough. Suppose we allow one-half for cost of 
cutting, handling, &c., even then an acre clears $89.75 in cash, 
besides a large amount of small wood for fuel, and the land is 
cleared ready for fruit purposes. Some of these lands are offered 
for less than half of the net profits on the timber alone. Thus it 
w^ill be seen that a man can make high wages while he is cutting 
his timber, obtains his fine fruit land for nothing, and receives a 
handsome sum of money per acre besides. If every State in the 
Union were challenged, could a locality be pointed out, offering 
equal inducements or so generous a reward? The facts and 
figures given above are a sufficient answer. 

HARBOR AMD MARKETS. 

The splendid natural harbor of Fruitport, has already been de- 
scribed, and its importance to these lands will at once be seen. 
Every one knows that freights by water, are vastly cheaper than 
by rail, so that the fruit, produce, lumber, &c,, can all be shipped 
at low rates, and the competition of vessel and propellor owners 
will have the tendency to reduce their prices in the future. This 
water communication brings these lands, practically for marketing 
purposes, in close proximity to Chicago and Milwaukee, so that 
a ready and accessible market is always certain. There is not 
another point on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, with so good 
a harbor, and possessing such varied resources and extraordinary 
natural advantages. But beside the harbor, there are the railroads, 
which make the Eastern market accessible, and which make sure 
growth and prosperity doubly sure. These two powerful interests 



12 

combined, will very soon bring to it that business life and activity, 
and that commercial importance which its position and resources 
indicate. 

MANUFACTURING AND BUSINESS. 

The shipping facilities of Fruitport, together with the immense 
quantities of the finest ash, maple, cherry, hemlock, beech and pine, 
which are tributary to it, are such that for many kinds of manufac-. 
turing, it cannot be surpassed. The expense of wood for steam 
power is scarcely more than the cutting, and there will be fine 
water power when the dam is completed. For the manufacture of 
bricks and pottery, it is affirmed that it cannot be equalled in the 
West. There are immense beds of the purest fawn-colored clay on 
the banks of Spring Lake, which are covered by a layer of sand, 
and these make bricks, which Chicago architects, builders, and 
brickmakers, all admit, are of a hardness, fineness of texture, 
smoothness of surface, and of a beautiful, white marble-like color, 
whidh is superior to any bricks ever seen by them before. There is 
one yard already in operation with a capacity of from 20,000 to 30,- 
000 per day made with a machine driven by steam, which cost about 
$5,000, comj^lete. These bricks will readily bring in Chicago, from 
$15 to $20 per 1000, and can be shipped cheaply by water. So far, 
the bricks have been sold at the yard at $12 per 1000. Vessels can 
run up to the yard and load up. As for the manufacture of pottery, 
those familiar with the profits of the business, can readily appre- 
ciate the advantages already noticed. A point, destined as this 
is, very soon, to be a populous and prosperous community, and 
possessing so many extraordinary resources of wealth, affords a 
fine field for all branches of business. 

HEALTH. 

The climate of this region is more even and salubrious than that 
of any other inland State. The prevailing breezes are from the 
Southwest, and come laden with all the elasticity and invigorating 
j^roperties which Lake Michigan can inspire. Prof. Winchell says, 
in speaking of iS^orthern Michigan : "Billions diseases are foreign 
to the country. No ague was ever known to be indigenous to the 
region. The uniformity of the temperature, and the purity of the 
air and water, are also favorable in pulmonary diseases, and I have 
learned of some rheumatic affections that had been cured by a few 
month's residence." The lake breeze sweeping iip the length of 
Spring Lake, together with the beautiful scenery, makes Fruitport 
one of the most healthful and attractive locations for residences 
that can be found. As a summer resort for health and recreation, 
it has few equals, and doubtless its charms will attract many who 
are in search of homes, with beautiful surroundings, and in a 
healthful, bracing and uniform climate. 



13 

ADVANCE OF PROPERTY. 

Any one familiar with the history and growth of the West, is 
well aware that the rise of property based on the healthy 
growth and development of a town or community, is one of the 
surest and easiest sources of profits, and has alone brought in- 
dependence to thousands. Careful examination and deliberate 
iudo-ment, will enable a person to perceive the natural advan- 
tao-es of a location, and the tendency of events and improve- 
ments, which must make it an important point, and thus sagacious 
men are careful to locate where they will participate in the 
wonderful growth and prosperity which is sure to follow such 

signs. 

iFruitport and vicinity, is not surpassed, in indications of future 
prosperity. At St. Joseph, wild lands sell from $100 to $500, 
and orchards from $300 to $1200 an acre, according to location 
and improvements, and this without a railroad, and with a poor 
harbor, which renders navigation dangerous, and in rough 
weather impossible. At Fruitport, with a splendid harbor, a 
railroad soon to be completed, more certainty of crops, and treble 
the natural advantages, choice lands can be obtained for one- 
third of St. Joseph prices. This can not long be the case. These 
lands now offered from $25 to $50 per acre, will soon be worth 
at least as much as St. Joseph lands. 

THE CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE. 

Most of the people at Fruitport and vicinity, are from the East, 
but Western pluck and go-aheaditiveness has also many excellent 
representatives. They are thoroughly imbued with the great 
ideas of the age, and the institutions of education and religion 
are supported and appreciated with genuine Eastern zeal. It is 
the pride and ambition of the originators of this movement, to 
found a community, whose refinement, virtue and intelligence 
shall be as remarkable as their material prosperity, and they are 
directing their efforts accordingly. By the course they are pur- 
suino-, and will pursue in the future, they will succeed m bringing 
to<^ether, what they most earnessly desire— the most select 
people, and thus secure those invaluable blessings which refined 
and cultivated society alone can confer. The sale of intoxicating 
beverao-es are expressly forbidden, and their exclusion becomes 
a part 'of the contract of every deed. 

PRICES. 

Town lots in Fruitport, of i acre each, commanding a mag- 
nificent view of the harbor, from $150 to $200, and a limited 
number to those who will build the present season, $100 each. 
Choice parcels near Fruitport of 6 acres each, for orchards and 
vineyards, from $150 to $260 each, and ten-acre lots from $260 to 



14 

Some tracts of fine fruit land, covered by heavy timber, 
are oifered from $20 to $30 per acre, according to distance from 
the town. These are cash prices, and are fully one-third lower 
than in any peach-growing location on the eastern shore of Lake 
Michigan, while the advantages are vastly superior, as has been 
shown. The Company deem it the best policy, to oifer extra- 
ordinary inducements, and sell a portion of their lands at ex- 
tremely low rates to actual settlers and residents, and thus enhance- 
the value of the balance. The title is indisj^utable, and full war- 
rantee deeds will be given. 

A GOOD HOME 

can be secured for a small amount of money. A few acres of fine 
fruit land at the prices given, is within the reach of nearly every 
one. Building material is cheap — timber plenty, and mills con- 
venient, so that improvements can be made at small expense. 

ROUTES. 

If in the East, proceed to Detroit, there take the Detroit & 
Milwauke Railroad to Spring Lake ; w^hen there, inquire for the 
Middlemist House, and directions will be given as to going up 
Spring Lake to Fruitport.". If in the West, j^roceed to Chicago, 
and take the propeller for Grand Haven, at Goodrich's dock, and 
from Grand Haven to Spring Lake, &c. 

CLOSING REMARKS. 

Information has been given as to the general subjects of inquiry 
connected with Fruitport, and it is nothing more than a simple 
statement of facts. If the statements seem to be extraordinary, it 
must be remembered that this is an extraordinary region, and an 
accurate description must, to some extent, appear the same. It 
is believed that what has been said, will be abundantly corrob- 
orated by every intelligent person, after a careful examination of 
this locality. Visitors must expect to see a new place ; but they 
will find the splendid natural advantages, and the plain indi- 
cations of speedy growth and prosperity, which have been 
enumerated. The great leading facts given herein, were not 
asserted by the Company or any one connected with it, but by 
one of the highest scientific authorities in the United States, 
recently State Geologist of Michigan, and now Professor of 



15 

Geology in Michigan University — positions which, above all 
others, qualify him to speak as he has done. The statements of 
one of the most highly respected, and leading business men of 
the State are also given, and both these gentlemen made these 
assertions before the " Fruitport Orchard & Vineyard Company" 
was ever dreamed of, and it has therefore been deemed prefer- 
able to make use of their statements. 

The foregoing probably gives all the information which parties 
may wish before visiting Fruitport, but if further particulars are 
desired, address as briefly as possible, 

E. L. CRAW, Fruitport, 

via Spring Lake, Michigan. 



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